Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has had a breakout year in his third season in the NFL, and he has his team looking like a legitimate playoff contender.
With Tagovailoa at the controls, Miami has an explosive passing offense that ranks fourth in touchdowns and third in yards, and it boasts two wide receivers in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle who have both already surpassed 1,100 receiving yards through 14 games.
However, when the Pro Bowl rosters were announced on Wednesday, Tagovailoa’s name wasn’t on the AFC roster, even though he got more votes from fans than anyone else.
Among the notable names left out: Tua Tagovailoa, who led all players in fan voting, didn’t make the AFC team. https://t.co/W1sOhahoPy
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 22, 2022
Some football fans across the land feel Tagovailoa got snubbed.
Can someone explain to me how @Tua didn't make the Pro Bowl roster? He topped the fan voting! Shows that the NFL has its own narrative when it comes to awards and accolades!
— Andrew Smith (@AndrewMSmith91) December 22, 2022
Forget the NFL and ANY point of the pro bowl voting!!!! How do the fans speak and get snubbed?????? What's the freaking point when the coaches and players decide in end. 🤬 #nflisrigged #ProBowlVote #ProBowlGames @Tua@gmfb @espn @nfl @NFLMedia @NFLonFOX @NFLonCBS @ESPNNFL pic.twitter.com/onDJPRCS2W
— Not a Blue Dot (@Mellowdayellow) December 22, 2022
And somehow he’s still not in the pro bowl. Definitely better than Burrow
— Antonio Barrios (@Antonio14605490) December 22, 2022
NAAAAH NFL hating on the Miami Dolphins, how did Jaylen Waddle, Christian Wilkins, Tua Tagovailoa, Alec Ingold, Jevon Holland not make the pro bowl ?
— cedric_allo (@cedzdeluxe) December 22, 2022
Yet when one takes a closer look and puts their love for the Fins aside, it’s clear that although Tagovailoa has done a great job of elevating his performance and has a great future, he didn’t deserve to play in this season’s Pro Bowl.
Tagovailoa Still Has Some Growth To Do
Overall, the University of Alabama product’s numbers are very strong: 3,238 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, just five interceptions and an NFL-leading 107.8 passer rating.
But in his last three games, he hasn’t produced the way he is capable of.
In Week 13 versus the San Francisco 49ers, Tagovailoa went 18 of 33 and threw two interceptions in a 33-17 loss while allowing rookie third-string QB Brock Purdy to outplay him.
Tagovailoa didn’t have to have a great game versus the league’s top defense, but he should’ve at least had a solid outing.
The following week, versus the Los Angeles Chargers, whose defense has been very porous, he was even worse, completing just 10 of 28 passes for only 145 yards.
On Saturday, Tagovailoa was better, as he threw two touchdowns and no interceptions, but his efficiency left something to be desired, as he went 17 of 30 in Miami’s 32-29 loss to Josh Allen’s Buffalo Bills.
Allen, Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow all were selected to the AFC team at QB, and right now it’s hard to argue that Tagovailoa was more deserving than any of them, given his poor play of late.
NEXT: Tyreek Hill Makes A Bold Claim About Baker Mayfield